Self care usually falls like a stone to the bottom of my to do list. But today, I put me first! I did the ultimate self care task.
What? You are dying to know! A spa? A long, relaxing walk?
No. And no. Here it is:
I had a doctor’s appointment
I don’t know if it’s normal how much fanfare goes into this decision in a teaching career. For me, the process started last week. First, I had to get a doctor recommendation form the school nurse. Second, I had to brush up on my Spanish medical vocabulary. Third, I had to ask the school secretary in advance so she could arrange a teacher for my classes (In a professional capacity I find our school secretary to be particularly terrifying). Last, I had to make sub plans (this generally consists of finding an activity students could complete if there was literally no adult supervision in the room. Playing-on-the-internet type activities are popular.)
It takes enough planning to schedule a doctor’s appointment that I generally don’t bother. It’s sad to think how routinely I put the maintenance of my personal health at the end of a laundry list of tasks to complete. When I was relaxing in my gloriously hard-earned plastic waiting room chair, it occurred to me that self-care is a phenomenally important and over-looked concept in my life.
Attempts at Self Care
I go through waves of meditation-interest. I don’t smoke. Sometimes I exercise. I eat reasonably well, I think. I enjoy taking time to focus on my breathing occasionally (this is an excellent activity for crowded subway cars). But in a deep way I don’t feel very connected to my health and my self-care. Just taking a few hours to check in about my health made me feel more calm and connected to my body. It was an impressive and immediate difference. I realized how important it is to take the time to take care of myself. I’m so lucky to be in good health and I often take it for granted.
Feeling thankful…especially to Allie Smith for the banner photo!